She met with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Cardiff on Friday following British Irish Council summit talks on the UK's exit from the European Union.

The Scottish Government said the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the relationship between Scotland and Ireland in areas including business innovation and the development of deeper trade and investment links.

Speaking following the meeting, Ms Sturgeon said: "Today's meeting was a very welcome and constructive opportunity to further strengthen the strong connections Scotland and Ireland have long enjoyed.

"The Taoiseach and I used the opportunity to discuss mutual Irish-Scottish interests, both cultural and economic.

"The British Irish Council was an important opportunity to call on the UK Government to work harder to protect our interests in Europe in the face of an impending Brexit.

"In the post-referendum landscape, it has become even more important that Scotland and Ireland work together to further strengthen our shared economic, cultural and social ties."